DUBLIN

Marconnet, Domingo dropped from France WC squad
Marconnet, Domingo dropped from France WC squad
The Associated Press
DUBLIN
DUBLIN (AP) — Props Sylvain Marconnet and Thomas Domingo were dropped Sunday from France's 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup.
The 35-year-old Marconnet, who has 85 caps, played in the 2003 World Cup but missed out in 2007 because of a leg injury.
Domingo was deemed not fit enough after undergoing knee surgery in April. The 26-year-old prop did not feature in the two warmup matches France played against Ireland this month.
"Thomas Domingo expected it," said France coach Marc Lievremont. "For several weeks, I could see the doubt in his eyes each time I met him. We both knew that it would be difficult given the time constraints."
"For Sylvain, it was more complicated. He's the last player with whom I played in a club and he made his France team debut by my side."
Lievremont justified Marconnet's exclusion by strong performances from props Jean-Baptiste Poux and Luc Decalcon. The 31-year-old Poux played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups while Ducalcon, who has only eight caps, will participate in his first tournament.
"Jean-Baptiste Poux has improved a lot," Lievremont said. "We also know the potential of a Luc Ducalcon who, in my eyes, will also improve. That's maybe not so much the case with Sylvain (Marconnet)."
France beat Ireland 19-12 in Bordeaux last weekend and won again 26-22 in Dublin on Saturday.
Lievremont released a provisional squad of 32 players in May that was expanded to 33 in June to include hooker Guilhem Guirado, following fitness concerns over William Servat who picked up a knee injury.
Yoann Huget was dismissed from the squad earlier this month for breaking anti-doping rules. The winger received the maximum three warnings for not correctly informing the French Anti-Doping Agency of his whereabouts.
Huget was handed a three-month suspension by the French Rugby Federation on Friday.
The World Cup starts next month in New Zealand.
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Forwards: Fabien Barcella, Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Guilhem Guirado, Dimitri Szarzewski, Luc Ducalcon, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Pape, Julien Pierre, Romain Millo-Chluski, Lionel Nallet, Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Fulgence Ouedraogo, Raphael Lakafia, Louis Picamoles.
Backs: Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili, David Skrela, Francois Trinh-Duc, Fabrice Estebanez, Maxime Mermoz, David Marty, Aurelien Rougerie, Maxime Medard, Alexis Palisson, Vincent Clerc, Cedric Heymans, Damien Traille.